After parting ways with Bellator after nine fights in the organization, Alexandre Bezerra has his sights set on a title under the Titan FC banner – and then a move to the UFC.

On Friday, Bezerra (18-4) takes on featherweight champion Andre Harrison (13-0) in the co-main event of Titan FC 41. Harrison is going after his fourth title defense against the Brazilian, so Bezerra’s quest for a belt won’t be any easy task.

Titan FC 41 takes place Friday at Bank United Center in Coral Gables, Fla. The event will stream live on UFC Fight Pass – so if Bezerra can come away with the 145-pound belt, he thinks he could fast-track himself into the world’s MMA leader.

“Without a doubt,” Bezerra told MMAjunkie. “Every fighter wants to be in the UFC, which is the greatest organization in the world. And that’s where I want to be. I think the reason that Andre Harrison hasn’t received a call from the UFC is because he doesn’t win convincingly. His fights are decisions and not fun to watch.

“So this is a great opportunity for me. By looking at my record, everyone can see that I don’t hold back. I feel I’m very ready to win this fight and go on to the UFC. But if I don’t get called right away, I’d like to defend my belt as soon as possible.”

Harrison is undefeated, but his lone stoppage win in his past seven fights, over two years, is a TKO win over Deivison Ribeiro in June – when a leg injury to Ribeiro led to the finish. With six decisions before that, Bezerra no doubt feels his criticism of the champ is warranted.

He doesn’t think he’ll be a slouch, but he also believes he’s got a big advantage when the co-feature rolls around in Florida.

“He’s undefeated, but he’s a very conservative fighter,” Bezerra said. “He always goes for takedowns and tries to hold down his opponents. On the ground, he doesn’t try to pursue submissions, and on the feet, he only throws single strikes – no combinations. So it’s a good matchup for me. I have a strong wrestling base, and I trust in my jiu-jitsu. If he tries to take me down, that’s all the better for me.”

Bezerra’s nine-fight Bellator run ended after a contract dispute in 2013. And after back-to-back fights against UFC vet Levan Makashvili, which they split, he had nearly a year and a half on the sidelines working through a knee injury.

But when he returned earlier this year, it has been all on the upswing with back-to-back stoppage wins. Now, ahead of his Titan FC debut, he’s feeling more confident than ever.

“I’ve been developing as a person and as an athlete for years,” he said. “Now is my time. I don’t want to be just another fighter. I fought for many years without any real focus. Now I can have my redemption. It’s a new phase in my life. I’m ready to show what I’m capable of.”